True or not? (7-04-25)
Sometimes you hear complaints that pigeon sport is so complicated. Others complain and are also surprised how veterinarians contradict each other so much.
EXAMPLES
- 'Definitely vaccinate against herpes', says one vet. 'Don't do it, an outbreak after that is almost assured', claims the other.
-'Don't vaccinate against paratyphoid', says one. 'Preferably twice', most say. And there are countless more of such examples.
That's not really strange. The knowledge of the 'pigeon veterinarian' is mainly based on empiricism and experience. Like that of the fancier. In the training of a veterinarian, pigeons are not at all discussed. That's why it's best to trust vets with 'pigeon experience'. For example, who race pigeons themselves, although that is not a requirement.
-'Some (!) vets recommend electrolytes after the flight to compensate for fluid loss'. Like farmers do with their cows.
'Nonsense and a waste of money', X says. X is a scientist who had studied medicine.
DIFFERENT OPINION
X: Fluid loss in pigeons is a completely different story than in humans or cows. They lose moisture through sweating, in pigeons this happens by breathing in and out. According to him, there can be no link between 'administering electrolytes' and performance. If you give electrolytes for a longer period of time, it can even harm.
And BEFORE the flight then? I wanted to know. "I don't know," he replied, "doubtful." I was surprised to hear that from him. But didn't Socrates say 'thinkers who doubt are the best?’
I always had much respect for scientists and doctors who answer a question with ‘I do not know’. What I do know is that after a race in hot weather it will be difficult for me to unlearn to administer electrolytes.
I do know the beneficial effect of electrolytes on nestlings with watery droppings.
Back to Mr. X. He seemed so self-aware that I asked if I could know his opinion on another subject that is controversial. "Come on," said the darling.
PARATYPHOID
One should know that for many years I cured every autumn with Altabactin. (Chloramphenicol and furaltodone) Just not to take any risks with paratyphoid. It was (then) freely available and I was satisfied. Never known a drug that improved the condition so quickly and so demonstrably.
In 2025, opinions are once again divided on how to tackle paratyphoid; among champion players and among veterinarians.
My 'counsel' Mr. X: 'A problem is that pigeons have no economic interest'. If there were still 250,000 fanciers like once, scientists would be more interested.
If only to make cash. What you hear now are opinions, usually based on experience, not on science. My idea is that in the event of an outbreak, you remove pigeons that are demonstrably sick as much as possible and treat the rest. Why 'as much as possible?' Not all infected pigeons are the same. Some heal and even perform after treatment. Grafting for 'booster', as you sometimes read, is completely out of the question.' Is it HIS truth or THE truth?
Theory and practice clash more often.
TURNED AROUND
‘One-day long distance races’ with a headwind would be the domain of the widowhood cocks, while hens would do better in irregular weather, as a youngster and in overnight races.
This was the general opinion for many years. But that has changed.
It is even bizarre how hens are now increasingly dominating in all disciplines. The scenario was as follows for many of today's greats:
- They started their career in the sprint with traditional widowhood.
- Afterwards they switched over to Middle Distance.
- Later they raced Middle Distance with cocks and hens (‘double widowhood’).
- When the superiority of the hens became more and more the rule, some decided not to put any more energy into their cocks and only raced hens.
THE REALITY
Hens perform even better than results suggest because more cocks are basketed. At least in the south of the Netherlands and Belgium.
But the picture is changing there too. There is more and more balance and I wouldn't be surprised if there comes a time when it's the other way around.
In Belgium hens were raced in a separated competition for many years. To protect 'the weaker sex' against the ‘widowers violence’.
That separate competition disappeared because it became more and more questionable who could protect the widowers against the hens in modern pigeon sport!
I suspect that 'hen racers' such as Willy Daniels, Luc van Mechelen, Rik Cools, G v d Wouwer, Geerinckx, Derwa and others would be only too happy if others would continue to race cocks only.
I read in a report on a provincial winner: 'And the amazing thing was that it was a hen.' ‘Amazing?’ Half a century ago, perhaps. Now rather normal.
LOFTS
Lofts are another thing. It obsesses some to such an extent that they regulate ventilation with expensive extraction systems.
Others ask connoisseurs (or self declared connoisseurs) to come and see if the ventilation is good or to give advice.
According to books 'from ancient times', a high gable roof, preferably with tiles, would be the best, lofts with eternite corrugated iron the worst.
Of course lofts have to be good. But practice shows that they can be good in many ways. Also (or especially?) those with corrugated iron. The condition of the birds and consequently the result sheets will show if a loft is good or not. I myself have seen so much that I still believe in little.
Furthermore you should consider that a loft in a yard surrounded by buildings may be good, but the same loft may be real bad on top of a high building.
Lofts have always been controversial. Boeckx had two lofts which were completely different. The results did not differ at all.
CONTROVERSIAL
Not racing promising youngsters too often was another dogma.
Was !!! In today's pigeon sport, many winners are yearling hens that were raced vigorously as youngsters.
What is true in pigeon sport today can be outdated tomorrow. Much is controversial.
'Barley is gold', the late Dirk v Dijck always said. Others equally great champions find it poison.
Another kind of mystery are those unlikely lead victories, which are not achieved with a headwind but with a tailwind.
It has to do with flying at different altitudes.
Meteorologists know how enormously the air movements can vary. Is being at a favorable height a matter of luck or a characteristic of good pigeons? No idea. And talking about good pigeons, do you have to look for them in the Netherlands today? Kaier is not averse to it. Or should I say not 'anymore'. Today Bas V is one of the best in the Netherlands at one day races. You seldom see 'B' in the pedigrees of his birds.